Growing with the Graffs IVF

Hey y'all! Jenn Graff here :) Below is a little explanation of why we are creating this GoFundMe:

When we first started looking into the IVF option for a safe/healthy pregnancy, we learned that one of the biggest obstacles for families is the cost. We were advised to join a few different Facebook groups with other families going through this. One thing that was mentioned several times was starting a Go Fund Me.

We were both reluctant to do this initially, especially considering everything that people have already done for our daughter, Ellie, in her ongoing journey/diagnosis with Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia (PCH). PCH is a terminal degenerative genetic disorder passed on to her from both parents. We learned there is a 1/4 chance of any child that we have also inheriting this genetic mutation. We thought the odds would be in our favor, so we tried having another child naturally, which resulted in an ectopic pregnancy which had to be terminated and another pregnancy that we lost at 20 weeks after finding out that it also tested positive for this gene mutation.

That’s when we decided to go the IVF route. It’s a shame that insurance companies are not willing to pay for this, considering the cost of raising a child with this disorder is in the millions of dollars, but could be prevented with IVF and testing of embryos. This process is very costly from the initial exams and genetic testing, to the creation of a specialized genetic test for the embryos, to the medications and shots and the actual implantation, to follow up testing all the way up to the delivery. We’ve been told that it can cost, on average, around $20,000.

We would love nothing more than to be able to afford to do this on our own, but we’re facing the reality that it’s likely impossible, from all of our regular homeowner/parents of a medically fragile child bills, to the fact that Josh already works two, sometimes three jobs and is looking to further his education to hopefully do even more, to the fact that I am unable to work because Ellie requires 24/7 care. We’re trying every way possible to find ways to afford this, working side hustles, selling music gear, furniture and anything else we can find, short of a body organ. We would wait till we can afford it, but then there’s the fact that neither of us are getting any younger and our biological clocks are ticking.

You maybe asking why we want to go through all of this. If we are able to have another child and see that bond with Ellie, all the stress will be worth it! Ellie would thrive being around another child. Her social skills as well as her motor skills would develop due to her watching someone play and communicate with her closer to her age. Just seeing her around her cousins has shown us how much she loves kids and wants a playmate :) Even imagining her playing and cuddling with her sibling just makes my heart melt!

We want to stress the fact that we know this may seem tacky to some people, and we understand that this isn’t for you. That being said, we also know that there are people who would like to help with this because they’ve told us that and suggested that we do this, so here we are. Please do not feel obligated, but if you feel led to give, please know that we are eternally grateful for you generosity!

Love,